ST. CHARLES, MI — In the early hours of what should have been a festive Beautification Day in St. Charles, an EF-0 tornado suddenly tore through the small village, uprooting trees, damaging homes and leaving roads impassable. The tornado, with a wind speed of 85 mph, touched down at about 12:05 a.m. Friday, May 16, near Dempsey Road and Walnut Street, southwest of the Kimberly Oaks Golf Club, according to the National Weather Service. It was on the ground for 1.6 miles as it continued to track northeast, crossing the Bad River and Coal Miners’ Park and ending in the vicinity of the neighborhood north of the park. But what followed was not just cleanup—it was a great example of leadership and the power of community-driven communication. Amid the ongoing cleanup effort, Village of St. Charles officials shared a message of gratitude on the village Facebook page: “It takes a Village…. And a township, and a county, and a state." Tornadoes are not unfamiliar to this area. According to MLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa, southern Saginaw County is part of a favored tornado track. Since 1950, communities like St. Charles, Birch Run and Frankenmuth have seen a disproportionate share of twisters, often triggered by lake breeze shifts off the Saginaw Bay. Following last week’s storm, the Tri-Township Fire Department, led by newly appointed chiefs Caleb Browne and Zac Theile, used its digital savvy to turn social media into a lifeline for hundreds of residents. Just five months into their new roles following the January retirement of Chief Mick Levens, Browne and Theile were tested by Mother Nature when the National Weather Service sent an alert about a funnel cloud forming. The department sprang into action—activating sirens, mobilizing crews and coordinating with Saginaw County 911, which was overwhelmed by emergency calls. Organizing through social media Recognizing the power of real-time communication, the department turned to Facebook to update residents. Officials posted road closure alerts, safety tips and direct instructions for reporting power line hazards. The department’s social media updates reached families as far away as vacation destinations—three out-of-town homeowners contacted the department through Messenger to request wellness checks on their homes and the department delivered. Despite damage to their own homes, firefighters rushed to answer nearly 40 calls for help, including one for a fellow firefighter trapped inside his home by a fallen tree, according to social media reports. Mutual aid came from nearby departments, including Albee Township, Chesaning-Brady, James Township, Marion Springs, Richland Township and Thomas Township Public Safety, which even delivered bottled water to exhausted crews. In total, over 50 firefighters helped clear debris, downed wires and blocked roads. Crews personally knocked on 233 doors to check on residents, according to their posts. Community comes together Local businesses also stepped up—McDonald’s provided breakfast for crews, and community members Travis and Hunter Thurston brought in equipment and 15 employees to aid the cleanup effort. The platform also served as a call to action for volunteers, and a space for public reassurance and transparency. “If you had wires down or needed help, we told you to contact us directly—not 911—to take the pressure off dispatchers,” officials explained. Support also came from beyond the fire lines. St. Charles Police Chief Oliver and his squad responded immediately, with Oliver wielding a chainsaw in uniform. Lt. Mark Przybylski of the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office brought in drone support to assess damage from above and worked with the National Weather Service to confirm the tornado classification. He also guided residents on what documentation was needed for insurance claims. The American Red Cross set up emergency shelter and processed applications for assistance. Village and township leaders were on site at dawn, offering hands-on support and coordination with utility companies like Consumers Energy and Spectrum. Superintendent Sarah Kettlehon of St. Charles Community Schools arrived at 2 a.m. Friday to assess damage and deliver positive messages on what should have been a celebratory day. With no reported injuries or deaths and restoration efforts well underway, the department has now shifted from emergency response to rebuilding. For assistance, contact the American Red Cross at 989-754-8181. Follow Tri-Township Fire Department on Facebook for ongoing updates and resources. The St. Charles Beautification Day has been rescheduled for Friday, May 23, according to village officials. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free “3@3" daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.